Spotlight May-June 2019

The US Army Installation
Management Command
(IMCOM) Europe
Entertainment Volunteer
Costume and Set Design
Staff deliver remarkable and
impacting support to Military
Services overseas. These award-winning, creative, and dedicated
individuals have enhanced Army Entertainment productions across
Europe for decades.
The IMCOM program has a mission to provide soldiers and their
families with the opportunity to participate in and see quality
theatre while overseas.
Since its inception in 1942, this Army Morale, Welfare, and Recreation
program only functions with the support of countless volunteers
who support the program with innumerable volunteer hours.
The most remarkable and impacting volunteer support has come
in costume and set design. In the process of supporting the Army
Entertainment program, volunteer designers have shown incredible
creativity and ingenuity. Their support has allowed volunteer
performers to appear in productions with astonishing costume
and set designs that reach professional level quality. This includes
the American non-professional premiere of Les Miserables and the
Army Entertainment premieres of Cats, Titanic, Mary Poppins, and
other major productions.
“Y
“I
t turns a cast into a family. Filled with
love and magic that touches everyone
involved.
“
Lorelei Chapman, Asst. Director
Liberty Showcase Theatre
ou will laugh. You may cry. And with absolute
certainty, you will consider your own family and
your life priorities as The Santa Diaries unfolds.
Audrey Kletscher Helbing, Minnesota Prarie Roots
“
Special Recognition Award
Presented to persons & organizations whose contributions are farreaching
and of a special nature
Valerie Kavanaugh (Averill Park, New York)
has been an active member of Circle Theatre
Players (CTP) for sixteen years, developing
programs at Sand Lake Center for the Arts
(SLCA) and the community. She developed
her knowledge and passion while teaching
high school English and Drama for 32 years
and directing high school plays. After “retiring”
she taught theater classes at Hudson
Valley Community College in Troy, New
York. At CTP, Val co-directed seven major drama and musical
productions, produced CTP’s three bi-annual Original One Act
Play Festivals, and directed shows within the festival. In 2002, she
developed a youth drama program, Kids for Kids, and has directed
thirteen summer workshops. She conceived and developed Matinee
Theatre Players for Sand Lake Center for the Arts combining
seasoned players as well as beginners in a workshop setting. Val
developed a program for mentally and physical impaired adults,
some verbal and some non-verbal. She developed unique methods
to enable them to memorize and perform. Her love and enthusiasm
for all things theatrical are contagious and she has shared that
love with all ages, from young children to senior citizens.
continued on next page
A contemporary romantic comedy about a selfabsorbed
Hollywood star who’s forced to return to his
small hometown and direct the community holiday
play where he rediscovers the joy of Christmas, a lost
love, and learns to embrace his inner Santa.
A full length play written specifically for
community and nonprofit theatre productions!
• Versatile production with minimal or complex staging
• Accommodates professional and non-professional cast
• Customizable to reflect the culture of your location
• Scalable cast size of all ages
Request a
perusal script!
The
Santa
Diaries
by Laura Ambler and Mala Burt
Watch the trailer!
www.amblerburt.com/the-santa-diaries
Contact us at santadiariesplay@gmail.com
May/June 2019
AACT Spotlight
25